E. Coli Illnesses Linked to Frozen Blueberries Are Up to 17, F.D.A. Says

The total number of people sickened by E. coli linked to recalled frozen blueberries has increased to 17, the Food and Drug Administration said in an update on Thursday.

The illnesses were reported from May 11 to Aug. 2 in Florida and Georgia. So far, there have been six hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported, the agency said.

In July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the F.D.A. announced that they were investigating an E. coli outbreak linked to frozen blueberries after a voluntary recall by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., of San Carlos, Chile.

Later that month, the grocery store chain Publix recalled all GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries because of potential E. coli contamination.

On Wednesday, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., expanded its July recall to include one lot of Great Value brand frozen organic mixed berry products sold at Walmart stores.

The latest recalled products were sold in 10-ounce packages with a lot code of 6040 01-6 and a best by date of Feb. 9, 2028, the F.D.A. said.

“Do not eat, sell, or serve a specific lot of recalled Great Value frozen berries or recalled GreenWise frozen berries,” the agency said on its website.

The affected product has been sold in a total of 19 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The F.D.A. said that consumers should check their freezers for any of the recalled products and throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Symptoms of an E. coli infection can begin anywhere from a few days to nine days after consuming contaminated food. They include stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting.

Some E. coli infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and kidney failure, the F.D.A. said.

The federal agency advised consumers who ate recalled frozen berry products and have any symptoms that resemble an E. coli infection to consult their health care providers immediately.